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Rostrevor Forest, Down

Badger Rating 4.6/5

With a mouth watering 27km red trail and a hair raising 19km black trail Rostrevor is believed by many to be the top spot for mountain biking in Ireland. When you add not just one but two purpose-built downhill trails to the mix, there’s no denying it… Rostrevor is a mountain bikers’ heaven!

Getting There

Rostrevor is just East of Warrenpoint, signposted from Newry or Newcastle on the A2. Park in Rostrevor village or Kilbroney Park, which has a cafe and full trail head facilities at the car park.

Trail Description

This part of the world is best known by local crew Not the Sunday Run . They have a great website where you can see lots of trailmaps and photographs of trail conditions and other hijinx. Contact the guys there for more detail, as they know every inch of the place.

The "Slieve Martin Slaughter”

Pioneered by Rostrevor ne'er-do-wells Not The Sunday Run, and christened by Henry, the Slieve Martin Slaughter involves 4 ascents and descents of Rostrevor's Slieve Martin, all by different routes. It involves some of the most heart-wrenching climbs and exhilarating singletrack in the country.

Slieve Martin cairn stands 485 meters above Rostrevor Village and there are 4 different routes that will take you almost to the peak, as follows:

Start - Foresters Hut Kilbroney Park

GREEN LOOP - Ascent 1 - Take the hill to Fallow and through the Tunnel out onto the mountain. Climb to mast and from here over to fence. Cross fence and onto Cairn. Descend via Slievemeen and Ballyedmond wood back to Foresters Hut.

BLUELOOP – Ascent 2 – Take hill towards Fallow and turn off at first right. Follow road up the mountain to the top Car Park. Through the car park, turn left and climb zig zags to the cairn. From here it is down the descent to Cloghmor and back to the Foresters Hut.

YELLOW LOOP – Ascent 3 – From the Foresters Hut follow the hill towards Fiddlers Green. Stay on the low track until you reach the open mountain. Follow track along the fence / wall until you come to a metal gate. Turn left and climb on this road / trail until you come to the mast. Descend via fallow and back to Foresters Hut.

RED LOOP – Ascent 4 – Follow Hill all the way up to Fiddlers Green this time and from here turn left. Follow this trail until you come to a tarmac road; turn right and then take the first right again up a stony hill. At the next junction turn right then after climbing a steep hill turn left. Follow this track for approx 150 meters and then turn up the trail which will bring you to Cloghmor stone. From here climb up one of the previous descents to the top of the mountain. Descend via Slievemeen and Ballynagelty.

Reviews for this trail

I go biking on Rostrevor Alot!
i dont go with a big group or anything mainly my own crew of friends that bike
but i was just wondering how old would you have to be to get into one of the XC groups to go biking for real??

Raz R: about 8 years ago

Rating:3 badgers

what is the name of the tracks n jumps on the warrenpoint road beside the quarry ?

Daniel Meagher: about 8 years ago

Rating:3 badgers

was at this place last month for the downhilling race where chain rection were looking after everyone this was my first time seeing it first hand and believe you me it was one off the best days i had out any body who has not seen these races try and get to the next one as it is fantastic and really worth seeing everyone is really friendly and you will see some off the best riders ireland has to offer,i myself am only starting out and cant wait to get my bike down the trails and have loads off fun doing it

NOTE: The trails on this site have been ridden before,
but you should not interpret their inclusion as an indication
that mountain-biking is officially sanctioned on them.
Seeking permission from landowners is your own responsibility,
as is conducting yourself in a manner that is courteous,
respectful to the environment, and conscious of the safety of others.